Ministers advised to increase proposed £35,000 LTC cap

A report by a Department of Health working group has recommended almost doubling the proposed the £35,000 cap on an individual’s long-term care costs, according to the Daily Telegraph.

The Dilnot commission’s report, published in July, calls for a cap on individuals’ lifetime contributions to social care costs of between £25,000 and £50,000, with £35,000 the recommended figure. When that cap is reached, people would be eligible for full state support.

But, the Telegraph reports that the working group is advising ministers to set the cap at between £50,000 and £60,000. Cross-party talks on the future of long term care funding are due to start this week and the Department of Health is expected to publish a social care white paper and a progress report on funding by April.

The report also proposes working adults being told to take out private insurance or release equity for their properties to cover the future cost of care. A national campaign will also be launched to encourage people to prepare for the costs through pension schemes or by buying a house.

Earlier this month, 47 organisations including the Association of British Insurers, various charities and unions published an open letter calling for political consensus. Chair of the commission into LTC funding Andrew Dilnot (pictured) said he was encouraged a consensus could be reached after Prime Minister David Cameron and Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham committed to “constructive engagement” over the issue.

Your caring government has reviewed your situation via the microchips embedded in you at your last hospital visit and has determined that you now have two options:

1. Please pay the sum of £60,000 to HMRC without delay, in order to ensure continuity of care provision.

2. Please advise by return of post (you will need to affix a stamp) if you are unwilling and/or unable to comply with (1) above and we will issue you with sufficient medication to provide a speedy and painless exit. The cost of this will be deducted from your estate or charged to your next of kin.

These measures have been put in place to assist the endeavours of the Ministry of Peace, and we are sure that you will agree that the interests of those taxpayers who contribute to the wellbeing of this great country will add their thanks to ours.

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